Liner



Jan. 10, 1939. Q D JOHNSON 2,143,072

LINER Filed Dec. 9, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Vv-T /0 H "@@ww Jan. 10, 1939. G. D. JOHNSON 2,143,072

LINER Filed Dec. 9, 19,36 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .za-g2' m fafa 20 well and a typical Well liner can only be removed moval from the Well. Fig. 3 iS an enlarged freg- 20 Patented Jen'. 1o, 1939 l 2,143,072

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEl LINER Glenn D. Johnson, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Baash-Ross Tool Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application December 9, 1936, Serial No. 114,992

` 7 Claims. (Cl. 16S-4) This invention relates to Well equipment and a well liner of the character mentioned in which relates more particularly to screen casings or the perforations may be inexpensively punched liners for a practical eiective well liner that may in the metal strips when in a flat state, thereby be easily and quickly removed from the well. Overcoming the diiculties experienced irl Der- 5 In the production of an oil Well it is the usual forating typical tubular lilierS- 5 practice to set a perforated casing or liner in A further object of this-invention is to provide the producing zone of the well to admit the well a well liner of the character mentioned that will fluids and to prevent caving and sanding up of not break or kink when being unwound and rethat portion of the well. The iluid enters the percovered from the well. v

l forations in a well liner at a high velocity and the The various objects and features of my inven- 10 small particles of sand entering with the fluid tion will be fully understood from the following soon enlarge the perforations so that excessive detailed description 0f typical Preferred OrmS amounts of sand are allowed to enter the casing. end epplicetiOIiS cf the invention, throughout When this occurs it is necessary to remove the which description reference is made to the accoml Worn liner and replace it with(a liner having perprlying drawings, irl which: 15 forations of the proper size. Further, it is often Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of the innecessary to remove a well liner and reset it at a vention arranged in the operative position in a new location to assure the maximum production. Well- Fig. 2 is a reduced side elevation similar to A well liner quickly becomes tightly sanded in the Fig. 1 showing the liner being untWiSted fOr refrom the Well with great diieulty. mentary longitudinal detailed sectional view of Another object of this invention is to provide the liner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a a well liner that is long wearing and strong and transverse detailed sectional view taken as indithat may be very easily and inexpensively recated by lirle 4-4 011 Fig- 3- Fig. 5 iS e fragmenmoved from the well for replacement or to leave tary longitudinal detailed Sectional View illuS- 25 the well bore clear for deepening the well, or the trating a modied meaIiS fOr connecting the conlike. Volutions of the strip forming the liner. Fig. 6

Another object of this invention is to provide a iS a View Similar t0 Fig. 5 illustrating another well liner that is formed of steel or the like t0 means for connecting the convolutions of the strip.

resist the abrasive action of the sand in the well Fig. 7 is a fragmentary Side eleVetOIl 0f ancther 30 fluid and that is fabricated to resist the stresses fcrm 0f liner 0f the ini/eritiOn- Fig- 8 iS e rcto which it may be subjected and yet maybe duced longitudinal detailed sectional view of the. readily reduced in diameter for easy removal from liner illustrated irl Fig. 7 irl DOSitiOIi in the Well the well. illustrating a shing tool in position to recover the Another object of this invention is to provide liner from the Well- Fig. 9 is a fragmentary 35 a well liner that may be freed from the sand and elevation View 0f the Strip 0f Which i511e liller reduced in diameter and quickly withdrawn from illustrated in Figs. 'l and 8 iS formed. Fig- 10 the well by simple or conventional fishing tools. is a fragmentary Side eleVetiOri 0f another fcrm Another object of this invention is to provide `0 liner of the invention, and Fig. 11 is a frag- 40 a well liner of the charactermentioned that is mentery eleVetiOIl View 0f the Strip 0f Wiiih 40 less expensive and more economical to manufacthe liner illustrated in Fig. 10 is formed. ture than the usual or typical liners. The liner of the present invention illustrated Another Object of this invention is to provide in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, ofthe drawings includes a Well liner that comprises a length of perforated a helically Wound perforated strip III and remetal helically wound into a tube and mainleasable or frangible means II maintaining the 45 tained in this form in such a manner that it may strip I0 in the form of a tube.

be readily reduced in diameter for easy removal The strip III of which the liner is formed is a from the well by the application of a twisting length of plate or metal of the desired thickness force or a longitudinal force, or both. and of the selected 'materiaL In practice the .-0 Another object of this invention is to provide strip I0 may be made up of several lengths or 50 a well liner of the character mentioned that may sections I2 of 20 to 30 feet in length. These be easily and quickly assembled o-r made up at sections I2 of the strip I0 are elongate and the well to meet the exact installation requirerectangular and may be of the same size. In ments. l. accordancev with the invention the sections I2 Another object of this invention is to provide are perforated while in aflat state. This may 55 be readily and inexpensively accomplished by a simple punching process. The perforations in the sections I2 of the strip I0 may be of` any desired or required character and size. In the form of the invention being described the periorations .in the strip I0 are in the nature of elongate openings or slots I3 located to be substantially axial or vertical when the strip IIJ is wound into the form of a tube. The slots I3 are provided to pass or admit the gas, cil or other fluid from the earth formation into the liner. In practice the slots I3 are oifset or staggered, as illustrated in the drawings. The several sections I2 forming the strip I0 may be rigidly and permaently connected together to form a liner of the desired (length. or the liner may be formed oi.' tubular lengths of one or more strip sections I2 which lengths may be delivered to the well to be welded together to constitute a liner to meet the particular installation requirements. The ends of the sections I2 constituting the strip I0 may be secured together by butt welds I4. The welds Il are such that they permanently and securely connect together the several sections I2. In accordance with the invention the strip II) is twisted or wound helically to constitute a tube. The strip III is rolled or wound into a cylindrical `tube of the desired or required diameter.

The means II connects the edge portions of the convolutions of the wound strip III to maintain the strip in the form of a tube. It is a feature of the invention that the means II is such that it will fail or release under certain conditions to allow the strip III to be wound apart and stretched `out whereby the liner may be easily removed from the well. In the form of the invention vbeing described the means I I includes an indented or bent-in lip I5 extending along one edge of the strip I0 to lap within the other edge portion of the strip when the strip is rolled into a tube. The lip II ispressed or bent inwardly to conform to and evenly bear against the internal surface of the opposite edge portion of the strip III. A rounded shoulder I6 occurs on the strip III where the lip II joins the body of the strip. Y-

The means II further includes welds Il between the shoulder I6 and the opposing longitudinal edge of the strip I0. The welds I1 may be in the nature of'spot welds spaced along the seam between the convolutions of the strip I0. There may befas many spot welds I1 as necessary to normallyv prevent opening of the seam and to properly maintain the strip I0 in its tubular form. Due to the relationship between the shoulder I8 and the opposing longitudinal edge of the strip Il thewelds I'I may be fully recessed or. inset from the periphery of the liner so that the liner presents a smooth regular outer surface. The lip Il lapped within the adjacent or opposing edge portion of the strip Il! engages against said portion so that the liner effectively resists collapsing forces. It will be noted that the helically wound strip Il constituting the liner may may be devoid of collars and other projecting parts that might interfere with its removal from the well.v The spot welds II are such that they dependably maintain the wound tube la 1n its' tubular form but release or fail when the hner is subjected to a substantial pulling force or a torsional force, or both, tending to separate the convolutions of the wound strip IU.

When the liner is delivered to the -well in sections or tubular lengths as described above the adjacent ends of the tubular lengths may be welded together, that is, the opposing ends of two such lengths may be connected together by a butt weld I4 and the opposing convolutions of the lengths may be welded together by spot welds II of the character described above. In this manner a liner of the desired length may be easily fabricated at the well. The lower end of the liner is preferably straight and in a plane normal to its longitudinal axis. A plain tubular nipple I8 is preferably secured to the upper end of the liner. The upper end of the strip I0 is preferably straight so that it may be connected with the nipple by an annular weld I9. The nipple I8 may be of sufiicient length to receive a spear or other iishing tool for removing the liner from the well.

In use or operation, the liner made up or assembled as described above may be lowered into the well and set in any of the well known manners. In Fig. 1 the liner .is set or hung in the well by a linerhanger H. The hanger H has a tubular body 2| connected with the upper end of the nipple I8, and slips S cooperating with a tapered portion of the body ZIB. 'Ihe slips S are operable to grip the interior of the well casing C to suspend the liner. A tail piece 9 controls the slips. The hanger H is released by an up pull. When in position in the well the liner operates to prevent caving and excessive sanding up of the producing portion of the Well and admits the well iluids into the well casing. The well fluids are admitted through the longitudinally and circumferentially spaced slots I3. The lapped and Welded together longitudinal edges of the strip I0 maintain the strip in its wound tubular form and resist collapsing due to accumulations of sand about the liner. It may become desirable to remove the liner from the well to re-locate it, to replace it, or to permit deepening of the well or similar operations. When it is desired to remove the liner from the well a spear or other fishing tool is lowered into the well to enter the nipple I8. The fishing tool is preferably such that it is operable to transmit turning forces as well as lifting forces to the liner. When the iish'- ing tool has been tripped or operated to grip the interior of the nipple I8 an upward strain is applied to the liner to release the slips S of the hanger H. An upward strain or a torsional strain, or both, are applied to the ilshing string. The torsional strain thus applied is preferably in a direction to cause separation of the convolutions oi' the helically wound strip III. The forces transmitted to the liner I I) from the iishing tooland through the nipple I8 break the welds I`I. As these' forces are applied at the upper end of the liner the upper welds II are the rst to fail.

The torsional force and the upward force thus applied to the liner from its upper end cause the strip III to spiral so that its longitudinal edges separate. 'I'his unwinding of the strip III is accompanied by a substantial reduction in the diameter of the unwound portion of the strip I0. Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrates the manner in which the strip III separates and becomes reduced in diameter when the liner is being withdrawn from the well. The separating or parting of' the .longitudinal edges of the strip I0 and the reduction in diameizzr of the wound strip fully frees the liner from the accumulation of sand that may have packed about it. The upward force and the torsional strain may be applied to the liner until all of the welds I1 have failed and until the longitudinal edges of the strip I0 have parted throughout the length of the liner. The parting of the welds I'I and the separating of the edges of the strip I is accompanied by the marked reduction in diameter of the strip III constituting the liner. Thus when all the welds I1 have been broken and when the edges of the strip I0 have been separated throughout the length of the liner, the liner is free for easy withdrawal from the well. The butt welds I4 and I9 are suiciently strong to withstand the vertical forces andthe twisting forces to which they are subjected during the recovery of the liner.` Accordingly, the liner I0 may be withdrawn from the well as a single unit. The liner is such that it may be easily and quickly freed from a tightly packed accumulation of sand. The reduction in diameter of the wound strip I0 resulting from inward spiralling of the strip fully frees the liner strip from the packed accumulation of sand. The removal of the' liner from the well in the manner just described leaves the open or producing portion of the well entirely clear and unobstructed for further operations. 1

Fig. 5 of the drawings illustrates a, slight modification of the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. The longitudinal edges of the strip I0 are the same as described above, one

y edge of the strip having the indented lip I5 lapthey fail when the liner is subjected to a substantial pulling force or a substantial torsional force whereby the liner may be readily recovered from the well, as described above.

Fig. 6 of the drawings illustrates still another form of releasable seam or joint connecting the longitudinal edges of the helically wound strip IU. The seam illustrated in Fig. 6 includes what I will term an inner lip 20 extending along one edge of the strip IIJ and an outer lip 2| extending along the other edge of the strip. The inner lip 20 is concaved, curving inwardly from the body of the strip and then outwardly to its longitudinal edge. The outer lip 2| curves outwardly from the body of the strip Ill and then inwardly to its longitudinal edge. The two edge portions or lips 20 and 2| of the adjacent convolutions of the strip |Il are lapped together in hooked or gripping relation. The inturned lip 2| extends -inwardly into the concave inner lip 20 while the edge portion of the inner lip 20 hooks outwardly into the concave inner side of the lip 2|. 'Ihe hooked lapped lips 20 and 2| extend along the edges of the strip l0 to connect its convolutions to maintain the strip II) in the form of a tube and to prevent collapse of the tube. The edge portions or lips 20 and 2| may be pulled apart or unhooked by a substantial longitudinal pulling force or a substantial torsional force on the liner or both. In practice a pulling force as well as a torsional untwisting force is applied to the liner to disengage orv release the overlapping lips 2|) and 2| so that the convolutions of the strip III pull apart to eiect the reduction in diameter of the liner. The seam illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings does not require welds, but the lips 20 and 2| may be welded together by releasable or frangible welds, if desired. It is believed that it will be apparent how the lapped seam illustrated in Fig. 6 may be embodied in the above described liner in place of the means II.

Figs. '1 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings illustrate another form of the invention. The improved liner illustrated in Figs. '1 to 9 of the drawings includes a notched strip 25 helically twisted or rolled into a tube and frangible or releasable means 26 connecting. the edges of the convolutions of the strip 25.

The strip 25 of which the liner is formed is an elongate member of one or more initially iiat elongate plates or sections 21. In practice several of these sections are secured together by butt welds 28 to form the long strip 25. The strip 25 may" be somewhat narrower than the above-described strip I0 and may be imperforate. At least one longitudinal edge of the strip Ill is notched or provided with longitudinally spaced notches 29 which form the Aiiuid admitting perforations or orifices of the liner when the strip 25 is made up into the liner. The notches 29 may be varied in size to suit the particular installation.- In the case illustrated the notches 29 are relatively shallow and are elongated longitudinally of the strip 25. The notches 29 are preferably equally spaced apart and are spaced so that 4the edge 30 in which they are formed has portions between the adjacent notches of substantial length, In the construction illustrated the strip 25 has its edge 30 provided with the notches 29 while its otheredge 3| is plain or unnotched. It may be preferred to bevel or round off the outer corners of the edges 30 and 3|. It will be noted that the strip 25 may be easily and inexpensively formed of the sections 21 which are cut to have the notches 29.

The strip 25 is helically wrapped or wound into the form of a tube to have the longitudinal edges 30 and 3| of its convolutions in abutment. This relationship of the edges 30 and 3| effects closing of the open ends or sides of the notches 29. Thus where the notches 29 occur in the lower edge 30 as illustrated the upper edge 3| closes the lower sides of the notches 29 so that the notches constitute perforations or orifices of the desired capacity.

The frangible or releasable means 26 for con'- necting the longitudinal edges 30 and 3| of the strip 25 includes welds 32. The welds 32 connect the edgesV 30 and 3| of the adjacent convolutions of the strip 25 to maintain or assist in maintaining the strip 25 in the form of a tube. The welds 32, of course, occur between the notches 29 and there may be as many welds 32 as necessary to maintain the edges 30 and 3| together and to keep the strip 25 in its proper condition. The welds 32 are preferably on the exterior or periphery of the liner but need not form large projections on the liner. 1n accordance with the invention the welds 32 are such that they fail or break when the liner is subjected toa pulling force and a torsional force in a direction to separate the convolutions of the strip 25.l

'The lower end of ,the strip 25 wound in tubethe strip 25 so that the liner presents a plain nat upper end for ready connecting with the nipple 33. The nipple 33 is sufficiently long to fully receive a shing tool T as will be hereinafter described. The upper end of the nipple 33 may be provided with a collar 25 for connecting the liner with a, tubing or may be provided with the adapter of a liner setter or with similar means for facilitating the setting of the liner.

The liner illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings, is constructed of the strip 25 helically wound or wrapped intotube form. The strip 25 may be made up of a, multiplicity of sections 21 and may be delivered to the well in the form of tubular lengths each comprising one or more helically wound sections 2l.y These lengths of tubing may be connected together by welding to constitute the hner. tubular lengths welds 28 may connect the abutting ends of the sections 21 at the ends of the said lengths and welds 32 may connect the adjacent edges of the convolutions of the joined lengths.

may bevrun into the well and set in any of the well known manners.

After extended use it may be desired to remove the liner for replacement or for resetting, or the like. When it is desired toremove the liner a suitable fishing tool T such as a spear, is run into the well on a. fishing string. 'I'he tool T carries a wash pipe P having an external diameter somewhat smaller than the internal diameter of the liner. 'I'his wash pipe P projects downwardly from the lower end of the tool T. The fishing tool is lowered until it is fully within the nipple I3. When the tool T is in this position ,the pipe P projects downwardly through the liner. The fishing string carrying the togl T is then manipulated to set or actuate the toolT and an upward strain is put on the shing stringin an attempt to pull the liner from the well.` In some instances the liner may be free for removal from the well on the fishing string, while in other instances the liner may be caught or fast in the well. In the latter event an upward pull and a torsional strain are put on the fishing string to be transmitted from the tool T to the liner. The torsional strain thus applied effects spiralling of the strip 25 forming the liner. The forces thus applied to the liner from its upper end break the welds 32 so that the convolutions of the strip 25 unwind or separate.. 'I'his spiralling of the strip 25 is accompanied by a marked reduction in diameter of its convolutions. The strip 25 is wrapped upon the pipe P as it separates. The upward strainA and the torsional force is maintained on the liner until all of the welds 32 are broken and the strip 25 is wrapped upon the pipe P. As the strip 25 becomes smaller in diameter and wraps upon the pipe P it fully frees itself from the accumulated sand that may be packed about it. Thus when the liner 25 is completely wrapped upon the pipe P it is fully freed from the sand to be readily Withdrawn from the well on the fishing tool T. The pipe P extending through the liner prevents the strip 25 from kinking or breaking as it is wound in by the forces applied through the ilshing tool T. It is to be understood that the fishing tools employed to recover the several forms of liners of the invention may be equipped with pipes similar to the pipe P.

Figs. 10 and 1l of the drawings illustrate a modification of the form of the invention illus- In welding together the In this manner the liner may be made I up at the well to any desired length. The liner y trated in Figs. 7 to 9. The embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in Figs. l0 and 11 includes a perforated strip 40 wrapped or wound into the form of a cylindrical tube to have its longitudinal edges 4i in abutment. The strip 40 may be somewhat wider than the above described strip 25. A multiplicity of perforations 42 is provided in the strip 40. In theparticular case illustrated the perforations 42 are in the nature of slots. The perforations or slots 42 may be easily and inexpensively punched in the strip 40 when the strip or its sections are in a flat state. The slots 42 may be located in the strip 40 to be substantially vertical or axial of the liner when the lstrip is wound into the form of a tube. The strip 40 maybe made up of several welded together sections in the same manner as the strip 25. 'Ihe longitudinal edges 4| of the strip 40 and the end edges 43 of the sections constituting the strip 40 have their outer corners bevelled oir as best'illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

The strip 40 is helically wound or wrapped into a cylindrical tube to have its longitudinal edges 4I in abutment. The edges 4l are connected by butt welds 44. The welds 44 are longitudinally spaced along the seam connecting convolutions of the strip 40 and there may be as many welds 44 as necessary. 'I'he welds 44 are provided in the groove occurring between the bevelled olf outer corners ofthe edges 4l. Accordingly, the welds 44 may be ilush with the periphery or outer surface of the^ liner. In accordance with the invention the welds 44 are frangible or releasable to fail when the liner is subjected to a substantial longitudinal pull and a substantial torsional strain tending to separate the convolutions of the strip 40. 'I'he liner illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 may be made up in the same manner as the previously described forms of the invention to be of any desired length. The liner may be recovered or removed from the well in the same manner as the above described liners.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details vherein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself 1. A well liner comprising, a pre-perforated.

strip helically wound into a tube, and frangible welds connecting the convolutions of the strip.

2. A well liner comprising, a pre-perforated initially ilat strip helically wound into tube form to have its edges abut, and frangible welds connecting said edges.

3. A well liner comprising, an initially flat strip helically wound into tube form to have its edges in adjacent relation, at least one of said edges having notches, and frangible welds connecting said edges.

4. A well liner comprimng, a pre-perforated initially ilat strip helically wound into tube form, edge portio'ns of the convolutions of said strip being in lapped relation, and frangible welds connecting said portions.

5. A well line comprising, a pre-perforated strip helically'wound into tube form, and hooked together lips on the edges of the strip releasable by a torsional strain on the strip.

6. A well liner comprising, a pre-perforated strip helically wound into tube form, means connecting the edges of the'strip and releasable by a strain on the tube, and a seamless nipple on the a,14s,o72 5 upper end of the tube for facilitating its connection with a well string.

7. In combination, a. well liner comprising a. strip helically wound into the form of a tube,

and means connecting the adjacent edges o! the convolutions of the strip releasable by a strain on the tube, which strain reduces the diameter of the tube, and a mandrel entering the tube\ from its upper end on which the tube contractswhen reduced in diameter by said strain.

GLENN D. JOHNSON. 

